Piping Engineer Job Description

Piping Engineers are responsible for designing and building the piping systems that carry our water, gas, oil and waste. They are involved in every aspect of the creation of these piping systems. Piping Engineers first draw the blueprints for the system, and then they assist in selecting the materials that will be used to build the pipes and accompanying components.

The role of Piping Engineer is a supervisory role, so many employers prefer candidates with one to three years of experience. Their work environment is mostly an office setting but, depending on one’s industry, the job can involve surveying field locations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for Civil Engineers, which includes Piping Engineers, is set to rise eight percent through 2024.

Piping Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

There are several duties that fall under the responsibility of Piping Engineers. The specific duties vary slightly depending upon industry. With that being said, the following duties are the ones that popped up most frequently in our analysis of Piping Engineer job descriptions.

Survey Installation Sites

Piping Engineers are responsible for going to the installation site of a piping system and surveying the land for any irregularities. They then analyze these observations as a part of the process for creating system blueprints.

Draw Blueprints for Piping Systems

Piping Engineers are the creators of a system’s blueprints. This requires extensive knowledge of all the parts of the system , and how each part relates to the functionality of the whole. Piping Engineers typically use Computer Assisted Design ( CAD ) software for this process.

Develop Preliminary Project Scope

Piping Engineers are responsible for creating the initial project scope for all of the tasks that need to be completed in order to install a piping system. They must take into account cost , resources and the project deadline.

Participate in Cost Management Meetings

Most of what Piping Engineers do depends on the budget of a given project. They participate with decision makers in cost management meetings to ensure their designs reflect the parameters of the project’s budget.

Assist in Sourcing Construction Materials for Piping Systems

Piping Engineers know exactly what types of materials are necessary to create a piping system that withstands the elements. They’re responsible for sourcing these materials, and then ensuring these materials are used in the installation process.

Piping Engineer Skills

Piping Engineers rely mostly on technical skills to complete their duties, but there are still a few soft skills they need to do their jobs well. Piping Engineers rarely work alone, so they have to be able to thrive in a collaborative environment. They also need to have keen observational skills in order to successfully survey installation sites. We analyzed several Piping Engineer job descriptions to put together this list of core skills Piping Engineers need to get hired.

Observational Skills: Piping Engineers call upon their observational skills when surveying installation sites. They must be able to detect any irregularities that may affect the installation process.

Analytical Skills: Piping Engineers use their analytical skills to analyze their observations to design a piping system that will withstand the elements of the installation site.

Project Management Skills: Piping Engineers have to wear the hat of a Project Manager when developing the scope of a project. It involves the ability to plan a project start to finish, taking into account time , cost , and resources.

Written and Verbal Communication Skills: Piping Engineers work in a collaborative environment. They have to be able to communicate their plans to non-Engineer decision makers, and must also be able to communicate their plans to their team.

Drafting Skills: Piping Engineers call upon their drafting skills to physically create the blueprints for piping systems. This involves proficiency with CAD software, as well as expertise in the components of piping blueprints.

Piping Engineer Salary

According to online sources, the national average salary for Piping Engineers is $79,959. Those at the bottom of the scale make $62,000, while those at the top of the scale make $125,000.

Piping Engineer Education Requirements

The role of Piping Engineer is one that involves a highly specialized set of skills. This is why virtually all employers want candidates who have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Piping Engineers typically have degrees in Civil Engineering , but those with Mechanical Engineering degrees could also find employment.

It typically takes aspiring Piping Engineers four years to finish their degree program. An education in Civil Engineering focuses on Sciences such as geology, chemistry and physics. It also focuses on Mathematics such as geometry , trigonometry and calculus. They also take classes on the basic principles of Civil Engineering and how to apply these principles in the real world.

Piping Engineer Resources

Are you interested in further exploring the professional life of a Piping Engineer? If so , then check out our list of resources.

American Society of Civil Engineers – The ASCE was founded way back in 1852 , which makes it the oldest professional organization for Civil Engineers. Since then, it has grown to over 155,000 members in 177 countries. Thousands of these members are Piping Engineers. Their website is regularly updated with industry information, and also has a great list of books related to Civil Engineering.

National Society of Professional Engineers – This organization is an umbrella organization for state and local professional organizations that cater to Engineers of all disciplines. This is a great way to find organizations in your area that can connect you with local Piping Engineers.

Civilblog.org – This blog is regularly updated with articles on a wide spectrum of topics related to Civil Engineering. While all topics may not be relatable to Piping Engineers, it is still a good resource for industry trends.

Siswebs.org – Although this blog hasn’t been updated in a while, it is content specifically about the design and installation of water systems. The archived content is worth a look for aspiring Piping Engineers.

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